Stellar season for ex-Panther Jenkins

January 31, 2010

By Marvin Pave, Globe West

In the opinion of her basketball coach at Salem State College, Marlborough native Danielle Jenkins just had her best month in her best season for the squad.

The 5-foot-11 senior center was named the New England Women's Basketball Association Player of the Week, and shared the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference's Player of the Week honors after averaging 24.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and three blocks over a three-game span for the Vikings.

Jenkins was particularly explosive during a 76-66 win over Fitchburg State College, scoring 30 points and adding 10 rebounds.

She also led Salem State in scoring in nine of its first 17 games and in rebounding eight times. The Vikings were 11-6 overall (4-2 MASCAC) after Tuesday night's 72-58 win over Worcester State.

"Danielle was double- and even triple-teamed last year, but she has a better supporting cast this season that can shoot from outside and provide more depth in the post,'' said Salem State's head coach, Tim Shea. "She had to play a lot more minutes in the past, usually well over 30 per game, but now Danielle is averaging 27 minutes, which has made her fresher and more relaxed,'' he said.

"She's getting more one-on-one opportunities, and she can get her shot off with either hand.''

Jenkins also has the ability to post up and put the ball on the floor and has become a better and smarter defender, said Shea, who recalled that one trip to watch Jenkins playing for Marlborough High was enough to convince him to recruit her.

This season, Jenkins was averaging a team-high 16.1 points per game while shooting 51 percent, and averaging 5.8 rebounds, along with 25 steals and a team-best 26 blocked shots.